China, France made progress in nuclear energy cooperation, Li says

Premier Li Keqiang meets with visiting French President Francois Hollande at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, Nov 3, 2015.[Photo/Xinhua]

The enterprises of China and France have made positive progresses in jointly exploring a third market in areas including nuclear energy, Premier Li Keqiang said on Tuesday.

Li made the remarks while meeting with visiting French President Francois Hollande at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

The two countries have maintained high-level exchanges and cooperated with each other, said Premier Li.

Premier Li recalled his visit to France in June, when he reached a series of agreements with Hollande and French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, which resulted in more cooperation in nuclear energy, finance and sustainable development.

China is willing to work with France to enhance political trust, push forward cooperation in major projects and emerging areas, and deepen people-to-people exchanges, to improve ties between the two countries, said the Premier.

The cooperation of a third-party market is an innovative move that has created a new mode of South-North cooperation and pushed forward the recovery of the world economy, said the Premier.

Both sides should work together, make full use of China-France joint fund, and implement projects in environmental protection industries, he added.

Premier Li said he hoped the French government could make efforts to facilitate Chinese citizens' visa applications to European countries and stop the EU from the practice of "substitute country" in the anti-dumping probe toward Chinese exports.

China would like to enhance cooperation with the international community, including France, to deal with climate change issues, said the Premier.

All relevant sides should abide by the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities, equity, and respective capabilities, Premier Li said.

China is expected to play an important role in making the Paris climate change summit a successful one, Hollande said.

After Premier Li's visit to France in June, the bilateral economic cooperation has been enhanced, said Hollande, adding that France would work with China to boost cooperation in nuclear energy and third-party market, enhance cooperation in multiple areas and facilitate trade and personnel communications.

France and China have their own advantages in renewable energy, environmental protection and energy-saving areas, and the cooperation between the two countries will benefit both, he said.

anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn